Tennessee Is Still Officially Anti-Evolution As Science Education Bill Passes

A new bill (SB 893) was approved by the Tennessee Senate that will protect teachers who wish to promote "alternate" scientific theories, essentially allowing anti-evolutionists and climate change deniers a voice in the science classroom.

A similar version of the bill (HB 368) passed in the House about a year ago. Advocates of the bill claim that it improves academic freedom, while its critics see it as an open door to the promotion of pseudoscience and religious doctrine within the public school system.

I spoke with Josh Rosenau from the National Center for Science Education to better understand how this new law could impact the students of Tennessee, national views about science education, and the economic future of this country.